Our Sweet Six: An Interview with Charity Bradford, Author of THE MAGIC WAKES

Today, we've teamed up with Charity Bradford, author of the recently released THE MAGIC WAKES.  She's also one of the critique mavens behind Unicorn Bell.  Charity was willing to sit down with us and discuss her release (which started life as YA before her characters aged a bit), and her plans for an upcoming YA fantasy novel.  

But first, here's a peak at THE MAGIC WAKES: 

    Scientist Talia Zaryn has always had dreams of an alien invasion and her own death. She’s kept them a secret, hoping they were nothing more than childish nightmares. But when the face in the mirror matches that of her dreams, she knows death is imminent. If she can prove life exists beyond her planet, perhaps people will prepare to fight.

    Her work at the Space Exploration Foundation leaves no time for personal relationships, but Major Landry Sutton isn’t looking for a friend. He’s looking for a traitor. His ability to sense emotions convinces him Talia is that traitor until a touch sizzles between them. In an instant their minds are connected and they can communicate telepathically. Just as the two begin to trust each other, the invading force arrives.

    Talia and Landry must uncover the secrets of Sendek’s past if they hope to defeat these terrifying creatures. Talia  is the key–if she can learn to trust the magic coursing through her veins.

Wowza!  What an action-packed read.  You know you want to check it out.  Now, are you ready to learn a little bit about Charity and her magical stories?  Instead of telling you more about THE MAGIC WAKES, she wanted to share a sneak peak of one of her works in progress.  Sound like something you'd like the hear?

Thought so.  Without further ado...

THE VALENTINE'S SWEET SIX 

1) Charity, tell us about your book!

I've had this YA Fantasy idea for about 2 years, but it's proving harder to write than I thought. Here's what I envision for the back jacket blurb:

Everything you’ve ever heard about faeries is a lie.

Lies they told to keep humans from learning the truth.

What is the truth?

They live among us, sentenced to watch over and nurture their greatest mistake.

Us.

Ryanne Killian doesn’t believe in faerie tales, and yet all the eyes of the Fae watch her–hoping she will be the one to set them free.

The original plot is still there and almost all written. However an underlying conflict arose that surprised me. The thing is, that conflict could become the main one and I want to do it justice. Ryanne has had her dreams crushed by an experience that left her scarred physically and emotionally. She has to come to terms with that event and accept that she is still worthy of a prince's love. Then she can truly give her heart to Caedmon and free his people from a centuries old curse. 

2) What scene in your book do you LOVE the most?

This was so hard! I have many favorites, but right now the ending is my favorite. There is still lots to write, but the ending is there and it's got all the payoff for me to work towards. 

This is the first time that I wrote the ending first. I'm hoping it will help things progress easier as I finish the writing. 

My second favorite scene is when Caedmon and Ryanne are on a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley. They are talking about true love and he points out that Ry's sister has that for her. I love a good romance, but family love is often overlooked. It's so important though!

3) If you had to pick a character you LOVE (and not your own!), who would you pick and why?

Wanda from Stephanie Meyer's The Host. I've read this book over and over again. I love how gentle and loving she is in spite of the circumstances she's in. She's the perfect vehicle for discovering the best and the worst of humanity and loving it anyway. I cry EVERY time she makes Doc promise not to send her away. She's found her home but she refuses to "be a parasite" any longer because of the love she's found.

  

4) What's the craziest/most memorable valentine you've ever received?

My senior year in high school I received my first rose delivered to the school from someone other than my parents. I married that boy and have never regretted it. Three years after that Valentine's, he convinced my brother to get that dried rose for him. He then placed it in a jade box and put my engagement ring in with it. Now that's romantic!

5) If you were a Brach's Heart, what phrase would be written on you?

Hold Me

6) The all-important choice: flowers or candy?

It used to be candy, but as I get rounder I'm moving toward flowers. However, I prefer  wildflowers instead of roses.

Charity, you rock!  Sounds like you've got magic coursing through your veins...or at least your stories! Thanks for sitting down with us today, and congrats on your release!

Pop on over to Charity's blog to see what else she's up to.

Wildflowers for everyone!